BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 March 1945, Page 3

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

GREY COUNCIL MEETING The Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham) presided over an attendance of the following at a meeting of the Greymouth. Borough Council last evening:—Councillors P. Blanchfield, W. H. Herring, A. L. McKay, G. R. Harker and J. B. Kent. The District Land Registrar wrote enquiring if Gilmer Lane was recognised by the Council as a public street under its control, used by the public and on which public money had been spent. He added that he had no evidence of the legality of the lane. The Mayor stated that the lane was a public street and had been shown as a street on the maps since 1899. , . X 1 „ . It was decided to advise the Registrar accordingly by certificate under the seal of the Council. The Chief Postmaster, Greymouth, wrote stating that representations recently made by the Progress League for the installation of a Glo-dial clock on the front of the Chief Post Office building were referred to his head office and he had now been advised that it was considered the installation of a public time-piece in any town was the function of the local authority rather than of the De- ( partment. It was regretted, therefore, that the Department could not see its way clear to provide and instal a bracket clock at Greymouth. However, subject to a satisfactory report from the' Public Works Department on the structural aspect and on the condition that the clock was supplied, installed and maintained without cost to the Department there would be no objection to a bracket clock being installed on the building. On the motion of Crs. Kent and Blanchfield it was decided to advise the Chief Postmaster that the Council did not intend to instal a Glo-dial clock on the Post Office. Cr. Blanchfield asked for an assurance that the clock would be installed on the hill site before the end of the year. . The Engineer (Mr. A. J. Fairmaid) said that he had written to the makers in England for their opinion on the installation of the clock on the hill site and using 12ft. hands on more than one face. Advice from a Wellington expert had been to the effect that the clock would not be effective with such hands on more than one face. The Mayor said he knew the urgent need for the clock but it would be useless spending £l2OO on the job if the clock was not going to be successful. The matter would be discussed by the Council on receipt of advice from the makers. . The Westland District Progress League wrote urging the support of the Council for its endeavours to help speed the various consents required to enable the proposed lime works to be established at Cobden. Cr. Kent suggested that the Council should not involve itself in the argument as the proposal was now being investigated. In such circumstances it was not for the Council to take sides with the Progress League, or with the Primary Production Council which bodies appeared to be at loggerheads on the matter. ' On the motion of the Mayor and Cr. Kent it was decided to defer consideration pending conclusion of the Government’s investigation. OMNIBUS SERVICES

The Westland District Progress League wrote pointing out that the League feels a comprehensive survey of the Greymouth bus services both for the present and. for the future should be considered by the Traffic Committee of the Council. Tue League feels that it might be helpful if the following points were considered: (1) A service catering for the Marsden Road-Sinnott Road area, which would also provide for Boddytown: (2) services from all areas catering for workers commencing work or catching buses or trains at 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., and ceasing at 6 p.m. on week days and 9 p.m. on Fridays; (complaint has been made that the Runanga bus leaves on Friday nights at 8.55 p.m., to avoid overloading by shop girls ceasing work at 9 p.m.); (3) extension of terminal points on certain runs; (4) publication of a combined time-table showing inter alia connecting services; (5) return services to Runanga etc., after Hospital visits—three nights a week; (6) Cobden, Blaketown and Greymouth bus services generally and connections on Sundays to Hospital and Church services; (7) extra buses at peak periods to overcome overloading: (8) a bus service to cater for Kumara, Kumara Railway, Taramakau Camerons, Gladstone, Paroa workers, school children and shoppers similar to the services provided in the Blackball-Ngahere-Stillwater area “Our sole object in placing this letter before the Council now is to make provision for the future,” concluded the letter. The letter was referred to the Traffic Committee. t The Regional Timber Controller advised that appraisal of the timber on the Council’s endowment at Aratika had been completed and that compilation of the figures was nearing completion. He pointed out that the timber could not. be sold or contracted for sale without the pnoi consent of the Controller, and that, il the Council still intended to dispose of the timber, application should be made for permission.—lt was decided to apply for the necessary permisSl< The Charleston Advancement League wrote seeking the co-opera-tion of the Council in having a full survey made of Cnarleston snd othei sites suitable for a deep-sea harbour and of a railway extension from Rapahoe to Cape Foulwmd via the coal areas en route. —It was decided to advise the League that the question of a deep-sea harbou was already being. investigated. The Grey R.S.A. wrote asking permission to use McGinley Park for a carnival over the Easter holidays. It was stated that the carnival would start about a.week prior to Easter. The Engineer reported that following inspection with representatives ot the R S A. of an area of land opposite Kennedy’s garage, the R.S.A. suggested that it be allowed to use an area on the .south side of Swanson Street approaching the Arney Street bridge He consented to the suggestion and had had the grass cut on the area. The Engineer’s action was approved Re« , arding the closed portion of Poundarv Street the Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote stating that the Land Settlement Board was prepared to offer £l5O for the area, provided an undertaking could be given that the buildings would be removed within a reasonable period. . It was stated that the Borough valuer had estimated the value of the area which was practically half an acre at £420. . The Mayor characterised the Land Settlement Board’s valuation of £l5O 1 as ridiculous. He did not think the Council should concede anything in 7+he matter of the valuation. The matter was referred to the Mayor. VARIOUS COMPLAINTS. ■ The managing-secretary of West- . land Laundry Ltd. wrote m reply to e , complaint by the Blaketown-Presmr ■ Road Ratepayers’ i Association thal ; the laundry created a smoke nuisance He stated that the Association woulc ' be well advised to check up on the amount of smoke coming from the tug

the dredge, the railway yards, the hydraulic station and shipping. He added that the only time when excess smoke came from the laundry was i while steam was being raised, and that the amount of coal used was between three and four tons a week, a small percentage of the. amount used by other users in the locality—The letter was referred to the Ratepayers’ Association. Mr. M. J. Phillips and 12 other residents of Buccleugh Street and its vicinity wrote asking for attention to the street between Shakespeare and Palmerston Streets.—Referred to the Works Committee. Mr. A. Beban and 18 other residents in the vicinity of the Town Belt North wrote urging the Council to lay a drain to Sawyer’s Creek to deal with the water deposited in and around their properties during heavy rain. —Referred to the Works Committee for a report. Mr. E. Martin, Ashmore Avenue. Cobden, wrote asking for an investigation into the building of a garage in Ashmore Avenue by Mr. R. Hall, stating that Mr. Hall’s house shut out the afternoon sunlight from the back of his (Mr. Martin’s) house and that the garage building would eliminate the afternoon sunlight from the front of the house and obscure the view. The Mayor said that Mr. Hall’s house was built before Mr. Martin’s house so that Mr. Hall could not be held responsible for the shade caused by Mr. Hall’s house. The Council had approved the Works Committee’s previous report on the proposed garage and had granted permission for the erection of the garage on what was practically the only site available to Mr. Hall. That site was on the street, but that was not exactly unusual. Before the permit was granted the complaint was received. ■; The Engineer said he had inspected the site in the afternoon and had found that the proposed building would shade the front of Mr. Martin’s house. It was decided that the Council inspect the site next week and decide on a course of action'. Mr. W. Meates, writing for residents of Eldon Lane, asked that some attention be given to the lane. The Mayor said the lane was “one of those ‘pot-handle’ subdivisions” g and was not a Borough street, but g money had previously been spent on | ltr fhe request was referred to the | Works Committee with power to act. | SWIMMING BATH FUNDS. | The West Coast Swimming Centre y wrote stating that it was prepared to t place another £lOO to the credit of the bath building fund if the Council ■ was prepared to act similarly, thus ; raising the fund to well over £BOO. — l It was decided to advise the Centre j that the Council was prepared to pay ; a further £ 100 to the account. The Engineer presented the following report on proposals for the improvement of the baths, and also tabled | a pencilled drawing:—The drawing | shows the general arrangements of the s proposals, including covering-in of g the pool, and heating and sterilisation | of the water, and a large gymnasium ij across the end of the baths enclosure at the deep or western end. The roof over the baths is circular in section and on northern and southern sides ► are flat roofed wings which, providing « sun bathing space on the roof, would $; house, on the southern side, dressing o accommodation and the water heat- Z; ing' and treatment plant, and, on the b northern side, a conservatory. The b plan does not go to detail and is put £ forward as a preliminary basis for dis- S cussion as to prospective develop- f; ments. In addition to the building, Z; consideration has been given to the lay-out of the grounds west to the railway and south to the above ground £ main outfall sewer, the proposal now £ being that Sawyers Creek should X continue to pass under the sewer as K at present and thus make available, ?; the maximum possible area of land in g the vicinity of the baths for athletic £ or similar purposes. A survey of the g land haS been made but no detailed zconsideration has been given to the £ lay-out. z' It was decided to refer copies of the $; report and the drawing to the Swim- ?; ming Centre, the National Council of £ Sport and other interested bodies. g ENGINEER’S REPORT | The following report by the En- » gineer was received:—During February 5975 gallons of tar were applied in tar-sealing operations, work attended to comprising first coat work on 15.85 chains of footpath in Marlborough Street and four chains in Cardwell Street. Second coat footpath work comprised 60.50 chains in Richmond, Bright, Blackett and High Streets and in Paroa Road Four chains pf footpath in Cardwell | Street and five chains in Mount | Street have been prepared for seal- g ing. Of roadways, second coat work | has been completed on Aerodrome g .Road and on P.erotti Lane; and , a g maintenance coat has been applied g throughout the length of Arney g Street, and in Murray Street from g Tainui Street to Alexander Street g On the north-western side of the | Shakespeare Street concrete kerbing g and channelling has been completed K for 5.3 chains "towards Marlborough • Street, making a total of 28.05 chains completed since work i On Easson’s Hill, Alexander Street, t the slip has been removed as far as c seems necessary and, under the foot- I bridge being built -across the gap t any further material to come down c will pass. The deck and handrail of c the upper Marsden Road bridge have 1 been repaired as immediately re- i quired, but a complete re-deckmg.x will be required at no distant date, s Work has been resumed upon the c sewerage of Ward Street, the work 1 performed being the laying of a ( further 16 feet of 36-inch pipe for c the re-location of the Taylor Creek s culvert. Everything is in readiness 1 for the concreting of the first three- 1 feet lift of the walls of the sewage 1 pumping station, Preston Road, as 1 soon as cement is again available. A ; storm water sump has been con- : structed in Marsden Road. ' GAS MANAGER’S REPORT ( The Gas Manager (Mr Fairmaid) reported that cash receipts for February totalled £1241/7/7, compared • with £1332/14/9 in February, 1944, i a decrease of £9l/7/2. Cash receipts j for the period to the end of February ( totalled £14,822/12/-, an increase o. i £122/4/10 on the corresponding ,

figure of £ 14,700/7/2 for the pre- : vious year. Painting of the gas- i holders has been completed. The j scrubber engine has been overhauled, but a boiler feed pump is being fitted before the scrubber again goes into service. An overhaul of all ’ heaters is nearing completion, and consumers will start off the colder season with that . portion of their equipment functioning satisfactorily. RESERVES COMMITTEE The Reserves Committee reported that representatives of the Progress League had met the committee and had made the wishes of the League regarding the provision of playing areas for children made known. No resolutions .were passed. At a further meeting af the committee it was recommended that McGinley Park be scarified and graded and re-sown with grass seed; that the Chairman report to the Council on the question of the use of the Park for side-shows and other forms of amusement; and that an extra fire-plug be installed in the Park.—The report was adopted. •* ABATTOIR COMMITTEE The Abattoir Commitee recommended, with reference to a letter from the Master Butchers’ Association, that the following improve-

ments be carried out at the abattoirs:—(l) That the defective boards on the cattle race be immediately repaired and replaced. (2) As space available in the dog shed would be only sufficient to house hah a true!', of hay, the Council make a .chaise for further accommodation it it is required. (3) That the. general surroundings at .the Abattoir be invest! - gated. ' (4) That the question m concreting the pens be referred to thEngineer foi' an estimate, (a) fn e Committee considers that, gauze doors on the offal room and the hide and skin room arc not warranted, <mJ that the floor is not dangerous with the exception of a small giatim, which will be attenaed to. (6) uhm the cattle, pig and pithmg pens K attended to. (7) That the gambles are considered satisfactory. (8) Th'jt the matter of droving. . charges be held over for discussidu with tne drover. —The report was adopted.

LIBRARY COMMITTEE

The Library Committee reported as follows:—The Committee met the Chief Librarian to discuss library matters. The Librarian read a report on the New Zealand Library Association Conference and explained a diagram representmg the National Library Service. The work ol tnt Country Library service was explained with reference, to book stock, staff and school library service ai the Greymouth Library. - The responsibility of the library to b iv. better service to the community witn this help from the Country Library Service was emphasised. -J-he, librarian suggested that the taking ot the’library out into the community might be the policy of the Council this year. This could be done .nJ three Ways.—( l) Newsjpaper&, (2). | radio; and (3) showing of films; and; also that the building up of the library in readiness for the regional scheme should start now. A desk recently installed was inspected and approved. A catalogue cabinet is now required and improved lighting. A plan for the rearranging of the' library submitted, by Mr A. L. Mercer, Field Librarian, was received. The" report was adopted. LIBRARIAN’S REPORT. The following report by the Librarian (Miss J. McLaughlin) i on tne work of the library during February was adopted:—lssues of Country Library Service 1,301; fiction 2,6-.. non-fiction .497; Juvenile . 32; rental 552; total 5,006. Total fees £9/14/9. Registrations* 39. It would appeal opportune to formulate* now the -i--brary’s .policy for 1945. One of pubI

licising the library and exploiting: the book stock is recommended. It .is hoped to arrange a public meeting to show films on library services in Dunedin and in a typical American •town. These can be borrowed from the New Zealand Library Association. The desk has been installed and has proved to be useful and at the same time improving the appearance of the library. Further improvements are, however, still needed; namely improved lighting and a catalogue cabinet. I attended the annual conference of the New Zealand Library : Association held at Wanganui from ; February 13 to February 16. | It was resolved that a catalogue i cabinet be purchased after March 31 next. '